British Jewish Leader Issues Plea for End to Differences Among Jews

May 11, 1945

San Francisco (May. 10)

Following consultations with leaders of all Jewish groups present here in connection with the United Nations Conference, Sir Robert Waley-Cohen, British Jewish leader, issued a statement expressing the hope that Jewish differences may be submerged in an effort to further the greater tasks with regard to safeguarding human rights and continuation of work in Palestine.

“My purpose in coming here in behalf of the Anglo-Jewish Association was not so much that we felt anything could be achieved at this moment, but because we are deeply concerned that our Jewish communities should contribute all they can to the tasks of reconstruction,” the statement says. “There are two ways in which Jews can take a special contributions.

“One lies in the fact that to Jews of all groups the safeguarding of human rights is of vital necessity. We all know that these fundamental human rights are essential to civilization, but our history enables us to realize in a special degree how vital they are, and we hope that Jews may so organize themselves as to make a maximum contribution to the solution of this problem.

“The other contribution we can make is clearly in Palestine. There we have shown ourselves capable of raising the holy standard of civilization for the whole of the inhabitants of the country. It is for the opportunity to continue that work that we all hope and pray, and in my view the greatest interest of Jewry, as of civilization, lies in our all working together to this end.

“So I hope,” Sir Robert continued, “that we may find our differences submerged in our effort to further the greater tasks, and if I have been able to contribute anything to that in the discussions I have had the great pleasure of holding with the heads of various Jewish organizations in this country who have been in San Francisco, then I shall feel that my visit has not been in vain.

“As I leave San Francisco today, I have the feeling that the charter of human rights, with the commission that is to help in carrying it into effect, is one of the creative results of these deliberations, and I feel that the part which has been played by Jews in the consideration of this question has not been an unworthy one.”